Friends of Weiser State Forest-Haldeman/Greenland Tracts

Preserving our forest use through trail preservation

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Friends of Weiser State Forest

The Friends of Weiser organized in 2010 in order to ensure the future use of forest lands through the preservation of forest trails. The trails at Weiser State Forest are multi-use meaning most trails are open to hikers, bikers, horses, hunters and hand gliders. The group works in cooperation with the DCNR forestry personnel who approve all project improvements.

Within the Weiser State Forest are some very rugged and secluded wooded areas. These areas can be reached by the 65 miles of roads which have been constructed for wildfire suppression and administrative use.
All State Forest Lands are open to the public for hunting, fishing and general recreation.
There are two small State Forest Picnic Areas located on the Haldeman State Forest Tract in Dauphin County. These picnic areas offer a secluded place to "get away from it all."

Upcoming Workday Schedule - See Calendar of Events Tab

Upcoming Meetings -See Calendar of Events Tab

Saturday, January 4, 2014

11:00am

Board Meeting & Elections

Please mark your calendars and try to attend the next meeting of Friends
of Weiser State Forest. It will be Jan 4 at 11AM in the stone office
building just inside the main entrance to Haldeman Tract, Weiser State
Forest.

This is a very important meeting! We will be
reorganizing for the new year. We already know that we will be in need
of a new secretary and we have several openings for board members. It
is very important that we keep a diverse membership on our board. We
want to do our best to represent all the users of Weiser. We would also
like to get a rough plan together for what we would like to accomplish
in the coming year.

Nick Zulli would also like to present the
plans to reroute Wolfe Pond Trail, this will be one of our major
projects for the year. He would like to get a plan together to
accomplish this project.

Like always there will be food! We will
plan for lunch around 12:30. I am thinking Lasagna and I will make one a
veggie. Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can figure on the
amount of food we need.

Upcoming Events - See Calendar of Events Tab

NEWS

Also a Special Note of Thanks to Nick Zulli for his project ideas at Weiser - Hadleman Tract.

New Bike Trail in Weiser - Carbon County Tract

There is a small tract, of the Weiser lands, about 900 acres in Carbon County.

We have completed about eight miles of beginner bike trail.

It is an easy trail. mostly level, all in hardwoods, I designed it so it would be easy for children to use. It is a combination of the forest road system and single track.

The tract is off of Stony Mountain Road, via SR 093 in Penn Forest Township.

Thanks,
Wesley Keller
Forest Fire Supervisor

Tidbits

There's an APP for That!!

The Official Pennsylvania State Parks & Forests App is now completely FREE! This latest version now on the market includes advanced interactive capabilities such as GPS trail mapping, the Friend Finder to keep track of your family and friends on the trail, and more.

Featured Update List:

· Increased performance speed

· Multi-tasking Capability

· GeoChallenge (Geocache/GeoQuest) Feature

· FREE enhanced GPS features

This new version increases performance speed and cuts activation time in half. With the new multi-tasking capability, users gain enhanced user navigation. The more adventurous outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from the recently added GeoChallenges that include geocache and geoquest activities, which will be updated regularly.

The waypoint/photo waypoint marking tools have been upgraded and there has been a fine-tuning of the trail-tracking feature located on the side navigation bar of the free GPS Mapping section. Use the app to track, record and share your explorations with others-all at no charge.

Try out the app! It's FREE!

Introducing the Pennsylvania State Parks & State Forests Passport!

ON SALE HERE! $10+ tax & shipping

We challenge you to complete interest areas, track your State Parks & Forest visits in your Passport, complete one of the forms contained in the book (or download one HERE), and receive a Champion's Tag for your efforts!

2013 Gratz Fair: Watch for us at the DCNR Booth! A one page flyer about Friends of Weiser and our projects are available to fair attendees at the DCNR booth.

Our first Membership Drive & Fundraiser was a success. The great tasting ham & bean soup, hotdogs with sauerkraut, and BBQ was gone in a flash! Thank you everyone who supported our event. And to all the great cooks and helpers a hearty yummm.....thanks!

COME VISIT WITH US at our next event and learn more about becoming a Friend of Weiser!

Future Projects

Trail to showcase the different silvicultural methods to harvest woodlots - started Fall of 2011; finished in 2012.

We had a very productive work day this past Friday, Oct. 18. Milton Hershey Schools brought 9 students up for their service day. We painted the signs on the Troutman Trail, the signs around the entrance, signs on the way up White Oak Road, blew the leaves off the picnic grounds and put the top rail on the bridge to Split Rock trail. It was really nice having this group of seniors up to help! Thanks everyone for volunteering your time! It was greatly appreciated.

BRIDGE at MINNICH'S HIT - the beginning to end

–Haldeman\Greenland Tracts,is replacing a bridge that has been washed out for years on the Split Rock Trail. The trail head is located at Minnich’s Hit Picnic Area. On December 16, 2012, a group of volunteers began the work on the new bridge. They were able to finish the majority of the work. A special thanks to all who volunteered.

Nick Zulli reads the blueprints before bridge construction begins.

The walking bridge deck was finished on December 16, 2012.

2013 PROJECTS:

- Expand an old existing trail that makes a loop off rim trail at the top of the mountain just past the hang glider launch. We will just need to clear out the bottom part of the loop which will not take much work at all.

- Repaint of replace trail markers- DONE

- Replace old grills and tables at Minnich's Hit Picnic area - DONE

- Re-Route Preserve Line and Wolf Pond Trail

- Discussion on opening new trails to connect the trail system to the town of Lykens is still being considered for 2014. Another possible trail is from the end of Lukes to Fawn Kill.

OUR SECOND PROJECT COMPLETE on November 13, 2011.

Our second project - was to build a hitching post to tie horses at Minnich's Hit Picnic Area so riders could use the restrooms and picnic. The rail is 30 feet long and has places to tie 10 horses. Don Newcomber did most of the work, he did a great job with Scott's & Rick's help! It didn't take long until Scott visited the site and found several horses tied to the hitching post!

Installation of the Hitching Post

Hitching Post is getting more use.

WE DECLARED THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED TRAIL COMPLETE on July 16, 2011.

Our first project - was to continue the physically challenged trail at Minnich's Hit that was started by the Rattling Creek Singletrackers Bike Club. The first leg of this work began on March 19, 2011. Nineteen volunteers attended the workday to help move mid-sized stones to a staging area. The stone will be used to build small walls needed to level the trail that leads to the meandering creek with its pristine waters and soothing sounds.

Do you want to save our trails for yourself and future generations to enjoy? Then come help improve the trails, build new amenities and save our forest lands for everyone to enjoy!

JOIN TODAY!
(Must Use Adobe Acrobat 8.0 or higher to use the fillable form)

Membership is FREE! We accept donations that we use to improve the state forest for all users. Your tax deductible donation is always welcome! Also considering volunteering. We always have a good time while we work!

A 9-Member Board of Directors meets quarterly to discuss projects, fund raising, grant opportunities, etc. All members are encouraged to participate at scheduled meetings.

Complete the Membership/Donation Form and mail your application and payment to the address on the form. Please make your check payable to "PPFF Friends of Weiser" and send to the address on the form.

Mission Statement

The Friends of Weiser State Forest-Haldeman/Greenland Tracts are dedicated to improving and maintaining the state forest for all trail users to enjoy, and in promoting an appreciation of our woods and wildlife.

Sharing trails helps build a trail community by increasing the need for all users to cooperate to preserve and protect a common resource.
Encountering other users on a trail offers the opportunity to meet and talk.
Without that opportunity, it is difficult to establish mutual respect and courtesy for others along the trail.